Lily’s pov

I walked out the front door and saw him immediately.

Lucian was already waiting in front of his car, leaning against the driver’s side like he had all the time in the world. The second our eyes met, everything else Mia’s stare, the heavy air inside the house fell away.

“Lucian,” I said, the word coming out happier than I meant it to.

I didn’t walk. I threw myself at him. He staggered back half a step from the force of it, arms wrapping around me automatically.

“Sorry,” I mumbled against his chest, suddenly feeling childish.

“It’s nothing, my girl.” His voice was low and warm. He opened...